THE SIXTH CONTINGENT

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12426, 15 February 1901, Page 3

THE SIXTH CONTINGENT

VOYAGE TO SYDNEY. (By Ode Special l Correspondent.) S.S. CORNWALL, Jan 31, ISOI. Tile morning we arrived at Auckland orders came round that there would be no leave granted to anyone, hut it is an old and very true saying “That there are, exceptions to every rule,” and 1 it was so in this case. A few got leave on urgent personal business, and a larger number took it. At 12.30 noon every man had to fall in to march up to the Drill Hall, to march back with the Auckland boys, and when we reached the Drill Hall, the Colonel found that it would be too long to keep the men standing there so he dismissed them for an hour and a half. At three o’clock the fall in sounded and the company markers were thrown out, and each company fell in on its markers. At 3.15 we were marched out into the street, and the South Island and Wellington men formed three sides of a square, while the Auckland men formed the fourth with the officers and several Auckland celebrities in the centre. The Mayor and several gentlemen addressed the contingent. They all agreed on one point, and that was that this contingent was as well horsed and the men of, as good physique as any lot that had left the shores, and they could not see any reason why we should not distinguish our-, selves as well as our comrades in South Africa - . Cries of “ Hear, heard’ and “ We’ll do our best, and mo mam can do more,” were heard on every side. Just before the carriages that were to head the procession started, the Canterbury representatives gave their war cry, the one the Third Contingent had, which was received with cheers! Again and again all'the way down in the ship’s side was the war cry called for, and the hoys responded every rime. . The consequence was that when the Cornwall cast off none of them could .raise a shout, all being too hoarse. One thing that the Permanent Artillery could not understand, when they ca-fiie to pass.the contingent on to the wharf, was that the men had all one or two sisters to see them off. ' How so many men’s sisters came to be in Auckland was what puzzled them, blit when told to wink the other eye they only laughed, and said “Pass on.” It was a grand sight to see so many people together. Every wharf, every boat, big and small, was crowded to its utmost. The cheers were deafening, and the bands were really splendid. About half a dozen steame rs ’ accompanied ns to the heads, and there we said our last farewells. The bands 1 ' playing “ Auld Lang Syne.” Then the steamers turned 1 their heads towards the harbour and we saw . them no more.

The piano that No. '3, and 4 Companies bought is being .used a great deal this morning, and there is no doubt about its being appreciated. .Five pounds was collected over and above the price, and that is to be invested in light refreshments for the first big concert we hold. We have justpassed out of sight of New Zealand, seme of us, perhaps, for ever, and nearly every man was on deck to see the last of our dear old homeland. During the short leave we had in Auckland the special Canterbury men were all taken for returned troopers on account of their leather bandoliers and different uniforms to the rest of the contingent. Some of Auckland’s stately old matrons would throw their arms around their necks and nearly hug the breath out of their bodies. The-majority of the Auckland boys are very sick to-day. They have a fair lot of horses with them, but on the whole not as good a lot the Wellington -and South Island horses. Friday, Feb. 1. This is really a perfect day. The sun is shining with his full force ,and there is just enough breeze to keep a person from feeling hot. - I wish the management of the troops aboard was as perfect as the' weather to-day. So far we have only had .two-accidents .happen to -the. .men..nvncef-.tve-left Wellmgtoh.' Both dcchrml 'during bur stay in Auckland.. The first happened to Trooper Sullivan, who was walking along the pavement, when ho stepped on ■ a piece of banana skin, and injured the small of his back. Then just as the Cornwall was casting off Trooper Ferguson- fell from the top .of the horses’ stall on to- the -deck, and broke his collarbone. Both belong to Wellington section. Trooper Fergxison is getting on- fairly well. He can’t- lie still in bis berth, and must not expect- a good mend. Saturday, Feb. 2.

No parades to-day at all, as to-day the men are all supposed to do all their washing. At 10.30 p.m. all officers and men fell in, and not a sound was to be heard from one end of the ship to the other; even the horses seemed to know that, something special was in the wind. xVt 10.40 p.m. the buglers blew a. long dirge-like note, and the ship’s hell tolled for ten seconds or more ; then the last post was sounded, and wo had paid our last respects to our dear old Queen. The men were dismissed, and filed away to their hammocks. The weather has been boisterous all day, and several very heavy showers of rain fell, causing much discomfort all through'the troops. ‘ A good number of the horses are sick, but up to the present we have hot had a funeral. Saturday, Feb. 3.

The rain has cleared off, but the sea is running very high, and a good many of the men are sick again. The only promotions that have taken place since we left are; —Trooper N. Hurst-Davis, of the “ Canterbury specials,” to he prov.ost-Sergeant, and Trooper Ronalds, of the No. 5 Company, to be piovost, or otherwise military policeman. We had church parade at 10.30 a.m. this morning, and nearly all the men attended. The captain of the ship con-" ducted, and we picked • a choir and had a real good service. The service was held in Canterbury’s and Otago’s mess-room, on account of their having a piano. A violin and piccolo were, also on the job. Some of the men rigged up a pulpit, and covered it with .one of the ship’s Hags, and it locked very well. Some of the Auckland people sent a lot of notepaper and envelopes for the use of the men, and any man that wants any has only to go to the orderly-room' to get it- Late last night Trooper Stafford, of Hawke’s Bay,- fell down the stairs into the mess-room and broke a small bon© in the back of his left hand. Monday, Feb. 4. 'The weather is fine, but a very heavy swell is still on, and the boat is rolling like a log. Great preparations are going on this afternoon, getting the Canterbury messroom in good order for the concert to-night to be given to the officers and men of the ship by Canterbury. Invitations have been sent to Lieutenant-Colonel Banks and officers and the rest .of the contingent. A splendid programme has been prepared, and if the ship will.only keep a bit steady we will have a good time. (Later.) The concert was a complete success. All the officers were present, and every company of the contingent was well represented. TrooperWall, brought the house down several times with his comic songs, playing his own accompaniment on the banjo. The Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel Banks gave, permission to. those that smoked to do so in the mess-room for the night. Tie -programme was concluded.by the singing of “England is Mistress Still,’’ and ’‘ God Save the : Kiiig.” As the men were filing out the Chairman said that as far as the officers could ascertain “The Silent Sixth” or “King’s First" were the first to sail for active service under the new King.', Cheers were then lustily criven for Canterbury and Otago for their excellent eiireftaiiimeiil. “ Tuesday, Feb. 5. The weather-is still fine, and long before Reveille this morning several of the men were looking for the’ first sight of land. It was not sighted, however, until 9 a.m. Everyone is anxious to see Sydney. A lot of the men never loft New Zealand before, so you can imagine how excited they are. We' aochi i ml . •>; the 'harbour, and mnyone was Irec-ung to 'geUashore. Ail (he men, with the exception of those on duty, were taken round the harbour in ferry boats and landed at CJtodgjjas;, .to. Alter

lea the men fell in to proceed 1 back to the boats, but when the officers came to count the men about eaghty-fiv© were absent. After tea two-thirds of the men that had remained on ‘the Cornwall slipped: over the stem into boats, and array up town, and some of them have not turned up this morning. Nearly half the contingent have to be paraded, before the Colonel for leaving the ship without permission'. Non-coms and all are in the bad books to-day. Anyone would think that we were a lot of children that could not be trusted by. themselves.